The pandemic changed the world in which we live in countless ways, some negative and others positive. One of the most significant lifestyle changes as a result of the pandemic is the dramatic increase in those of us who work from home. While this shift in freedom and flexibility is preferred by most remote workers, like anything in life, it does come with a trade-off.

Working from home saves many employees money on fuel and car maintenance but it comes with a catch- an increase in energy bills. Your energy meter was used to sitting still for most of the day while you were at work and now you are home, operating the lights, your computer, the kettle and so forth.

With more people working from home than ever, it’s important to find ways to reduce your home office’s energy consumption. One solution to this is to install a solar power system and then maximize your solar power usage. Not only will you be able to save money on your energy bills, but you’ll also be contributing to a more sustainable future.

Read on for our top tips to reduce your home office energy consumption with solar power:

Install Solar Panels

The first step to reducing your energy consumption is to install solar power. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used to power your home office. They are a long-term investment, but they can pay for themselves over time by reducing your energy bills.

With the decrease in the cost of solar panels, and the increase in quality and supply over the years while having access to government incentives, now is the best time to install solar panels on your home. There are payment plan options to minimize your repayments while maximizing the benefits.

When considering solar panels, make sure you speak to the experts such as Solahart so they can help you choose a system that’s appropriate for your home office’s energy needs.

Use Energy-Efficient Lighting

Now that you have installed solar panels, it’s time to look at making your home as energy efficient as you can, so let’s start with lighting.

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of a home office. However, traditional incandescent bulbs consume a lot of energy and are not as efficient as LED bulbs.

LED bulbs are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. They also emit less heat, which can help reduce your cooling costs during the summer.

Consider replacing your old light bulbs with LED bulbs to maximize solar power and reduce your energy consumption.

Turn Off Devices When Not in Use

It’s easy to forget to turn off devices when you’re not using them. However, devices like computers, printers, and monitors consume energy even when they’re on standby mode.

Make sure you turn off your devices when you’re not using them. If this is something you easily forget, set yourself an alarm for at the end of your workday to remind yourself to turn off your unused devices.

Use Energy-Saving Settings on Your Devices

We live in a technology-friendly world these days with many power-saving options. Another clever way to reduce your energy consumption is to use energy-saving settings on your devices. Most devices come with energy-saving settings that can help reduce their energy consumption.

For example, you can set your computer to go to sleep when it’s not in use for a certain period of time. You can also adjust the brightness of your monitor to reduce its energy consumption which is also easier on your eyes!

Invest in Energy-Efficient Devices

When it’s time to replace your old devices, consider investing in energy-efficient ones. Look for devices that have an Energy Star rating, which means they meet energy efficiency guidelines. Energy-efficient devices consume less energy than traditional ones, which can help reduce your energy bills and maximize solar power feedback.

Use Natural Lighting

Natural lighting is not only good for your health, but it can also help to reduce your energy bill. Instead of relying on artificial lighting, try to use natural lighting as much as possible.

This might mean a revamp of your home office by moving furniture around or applying a coat of paint. First things first, position your desk near a window to take advantage of natural lighting. You can also use light-coloured walls and furniture to reflect natural light and brighten up your home office. These changes will benefit your energy bill as well as your mental health.

Monitor Your Energy Consumption

Last but certainly not least is the importance to monitor your energy consumption to maximize your solar power and reduce your energy bills.

Solahart has a simple way to keep track of your usage with their Solahart Home Energy Management System. This is as easy as logging into the app on your phone to track how much energy you’re consuming and which smart appliances are using the most power.

Solahart’s Home Energy Management System can help you identify habits and appliances where you can make improvements to decrease your energy consumption. For example, you may notice that you’re consuming a lot of energy during certain times of the day, which can help you adjust your energy usage accordingly.

Maximizing your solar power is a great way to reduce your home office’s energy consumption. By installing solar panels, using energy-efficient lighting, turning off devices when not in use, using energy-saving settings on your devices, investing in energy-efficient devices, using natural lighting, and monitoring your energy consumption, you can save money on your energy bills and contribute to a more sustainable future.

For more information on how to get the most out of your solar panels, contact us at SolaHart today.